Knicks superfan Stephen A. Smith pleads with Trump

Stephen A. Smith, a Knicks superfan and ESPN host, urged President Donald Trump to stay away from Game 3 of the NBA Finals at Madison Square Garden on Monday, citing expected chaos in Manhattan, heavy security lines, and the possibility of protests. Trump conf

For Stephen A. Smith, the concern isn’t about who wins the NBA Finals on Monday night. It’s about what that night will feel like in Manhattan—before the first tip.

The Knicks host the San Antonio Spurs at Madison Square Garden for Game 3 of the NBA Finals on Monday, and the city is preparing for more than just basketball. Smith, a New York native and Knicks superfan who hosts a SiriusXM show, said he is begging President Donald Trump not to come to the arena.

“He’s coming to Game 3 of the Finals. and I don’t want him there. ” Smith said during his SiriusXM show on Thursday. “It has nothing to do with politics, policy, or anything like that. It has everything to do with him disrupting and contributing at the same time to the chaos that’s going to be existing at Madison Square Garden.”.

Smith added that he believes Trump’s presence will add friction for the fans who are already expected to flood the streets and public watch parties. He said the subway system and Midtown roads would be under heavy strain, and he warned the chaos could affect how people get into the building.

“You don’t understand what Monday is going to be like in New York City,” Smith continued. “The subways will never be more packed. Don’t drive your cars in Midtown. It will be a parking lot. There is nothing short of madness that is coming the way of everybody come Monday. You don’t understand. I have been covering sports for over 30 years. And I’m telling you right now. come Monday. for Game 3 of the NBA Finals at Madison Square Garden. I expect to see an environment I have never seen in my entire career covering sports.”.

Smith also pointed to another possibility: protests. “Then there is the possibility that Trump’s presence draws protestors around MSG,” he said, before making his case more bluntly. “This is why I don’t want the president there… I don’t want people preoccupied with politics and policy. nor do I want him blocking traffic and making it hell for people to enter the freaking arena. I don’t want that problem.”.

Trump confirmed his attendance on Thursday—plans that had been rumored since the Knicks swept the Cleveland Cavaliers in the Eastern Conference Finals. In the Oval Office. Trump told reporters. “They’re a great team and I’m happy for [Knicks owner James Dolan] because Jim has really been fighting hard to produce such a team… The answer is yes. he’s invited me and I’m going.”.

Trump also suggested he might attend more than one game. “Maybe I’ll do both,” he said.

Ahead of the broadcast glare, the logistics are already shaping the stakes. The source of the pressure is plain: security. Fans entering Madison Square Garden for Game 3 should expect bolstered security measures and prolonged security lines.

On the basketball side, the Knicks took control early. New York leads the series 1-0 after a comeback win over the Spurs in San Antonio on Wednesday night. Game 2 is set to tip off on Friday at 8:30pm EST.

Game 3 is scheduled to tip off at Madison Square Garden around 8:30pm.

Even as Smith urged Trump to stay away, the NBA’s public stance has been supportive. Prior to Game 1, NBA commissioner Adam Silver said he backed Trump’s attendance at the Garden. Silver described Trump as a lifelong Knicks fan. saying. “Before he ever ran for office. he was a big Knicks fan… I’ve been with the league for a long time. I was there at many Knicks games with him in the old days.” Silver added that Trump attended multiple NBA drafts at Madison Square Garden when drafts were held there and even appeared in one of the league’s “I love this Game” spots while Silver was running NBA entertainment.

New York’s mayor, Zohran Mamdani, is also expected to attend Game 3, but he previously told TMZ he would not be sitting with Trump. The reporting also notes that Mamdani has typically been seen in the nosebleed seats whenever he has been at the Garden.

The city’s timing could be just as consequential as the guest list. Mamdani’s schedule includes a public invitation and a hearing on Monday in a way that overlaps the game day. He playfully invited Spurs center Victor Wembanyama to a hearing. writing: “I’m pleased to invite @Wemby to our second Commission on Government Efficiency hearing on Wednesday June 10th 5-8pm. where we’ll be asking the public for their thoughts on how government can run better… Would love to have you there for the whole time!”.

That hearing is scheduled to end just as Game 3 tips off at MSG.

Wembanyama, for his part, has not responded to the invitation.

The mayor’s joke landed unevenly with fans online. One irate fan wrote on X, “Wemby is not a Knick, not a New Yorker, and not even an American. Wtf is this.” Another asked. “Wait isn’t that a game day?” A different fan suggested Mamdani invite someone from the Knicks instead: “Why wemby?. Why not a Knick?”.

But Knicks fans also leaned into the pre-game hype. “Wemby. when the NYC mayor invites you to something you do not turn it down… Show up. June 10th between 5 to 8 pm. ” one fan wrote to Wembanyama. Another joked that Mamdani should push the hearing to 9pm so everyone could share their thoughts and added. “Wemby would appreciate this.”.

For Smith, though, the focus stays on the Monday night reality at MSG: a city already primed for a packed arena, security lines, and heavy traffic—now with the added complication of a presidential entourage and the attention that follows it.

Knicks Spurs NBA Finals Madison Square Garden Stephen A. Smith Donald Trump Zohran Mamdani Victor Wembanyama Adam Silver Game 3 Game 2